Book rest



April 24, 1928.

F. D. SHOLlN I BOOKREST Filed Jan. 13. 1927 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR T 31 cw id 510015130 TTORNEY Patented Apr. 24, 1928.

} UNITED S A TESPATENT orFlcE.

FRANK DAVID snomn, or PORTLAND, oREGoN;

BOOK REST.

Application filed January 13, 1927.. Seriai"No. 160,902,

i invention relates to in' provements in rests or racks for supportingbooks, magazines or like articles in openposition, anditconsists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements herein c described and claimed. v r d An object of the invention is the provision of a rest or rack of the character described which can be folded to relatively small size when desired or extended more or less to accommodate books or papers of various sizes. A further object of the invention is the provision in a rack or rest of the character described of ddJUSttIlIJiQ ClfllllljlllgOl retain-c ing members which not only servecto inaintain a book, magazine, or like article ppen but also to permit 1convenient and easy turning or manipulation of a substantial number of sheets of. the book, magazine, or like article at the place here sucharticle is open.

A still further object-of the invention is the provision of a rest or rack of thecharacter described that is adapted when in any possible adj ustment thereof to hold a11.asso ciated book, magazine, or like article firmly.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following dey scription, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which, i c

Figure l is a i.ace.view of the improved rack in an extended position,

Figure 2 is a section substantiallyalong the line 22 o-fFigure 1, g I

Figure 3 is an edge view ofthe lfZlQkWlillL its adjustable supporting means shown partially in vertical section, c t

Figure 4 is a face viewrof the rack folded to itssmallest size,

Figure 5 is a section substantially along the line 55 of Figure 4, and

member 1 in which the, bar 3 may slide and thus be adjusted vertically "fora purpose to be presently set forth.

The bottom orbase of the holder frame comprises a pairofsimilar sections t each of which is channel-shaped and. is disposed with its flanges turned upward, The rear flanges 4 of the base sections at are connect ed adjacent to their inner ends to the lower I end: portion of the frame member 1 by pivot elementso which also serve to connect the lower ends of theyinncr end bars 6 o-fthe lazy-tongs generally indicated at 7 mine lower end portion of themember *1, the

lower end portions of the bars 6 being interposedonvthe pivot elements 5 between the flanges el. on the basesections and the front face of the inemberl. 'lhepivot ele inentso are located at the same level on the ,member 1 and are so spaced transversely of the member 1 that theyinner ends pf the webs of the sectionssl willbe close to each other, if notactually incontact witheach other, whenthe sections at are in their downwardly swung horizontal positionsas shown in igures 1, 2, at andfi, the inner end edges of'the rear flanges et of the base sections being rounded off shown at 8 and the nner end portions of the front flanges ,Qof the base sectionsfi be ngont awayatlO,

whereby swinging movementof the base sec- ,tions 4 from lowered horizontalposit-ions as shown in Figures: 1, 2, 3 and (Ho raisedveu tical positions as shown in Figures and 5, i

is possible, i

The upper end portions of the inner end bars 11 of the lazy-tongs 7 have longitudinal slots 12 through which extend theshanksof headed studs 13 which extend forwardly from the, upperend portion of the member 1. Thebackof{theholder frame also includes a pair of end bars 14 which have their upper end portions connected bvrearwardlyextending pivot elements 15 with the upperend-portions of outer end bars 16 of c the lazy-tongsi The pivot elements 10 are headed studs, the shanks of'which vwork in lon itudinal slots l'i in iI-llGllDJBl end D01- 2-) l ll tions' of 'the'bars 16 of the'lazy tongsq The lowerend portionsof the bars ltzcarry rearwardl y extending pivot elements 18 which are locatedat the level of the pivot elements i) and connectthe bars lei-with the loi'ver ends of the outer end bars 19 of the lazy tongst The bars let have forwardextensions 20 at- I their, lower ends of slightly greater length v than the width of thexbase sections L on Whichfthe outer end. portions of the base J- sections 4 will rest When the lazy-tongs are extended more or less and the base sections 4 are in their downwardly swung active positions as shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 6. The members 20 have upturned forward end portions 21 which cooperate with the bars.

25 and connected by the pivot elements 26 with the doubled portions 27 of the bar-like clamping sections 23. Each of the clamping sections 23 comprises in addition to the doubled attaching portion 27 a substantially straight relatively long rearward main clamping portion anda forwardly off-set shorter auxiliary clamping finger or clip portion 29. A movable extension 29*is carried by each finger 29 to facilitate the clamping of the book leaves. All of the aforesaid pivot elements are parallel with one another.

The longitudinal edge portions of the aforesaid vertically movable bar 3 preferably are oft-set forwardly as indicated at 3 in Figure 2 to fit slidably between the flanges 2 and the web of the member 1 when the major portion of the bar 3 is substantially flush with the flanges 2. The upper end portion of the bar 3 is bent forwardly and downwardly at 30. A pair of upper clamping arms 31 have their upper end portions connected by the forwardly extending pivot elements 32 to the down-turned part of the bent upper portion 30 of the bar 3, the respective pivot elements 32 being located at the same level and being parallel with all the aforesaid remaining pivot elements.

The supporting means for the holder frame may include a pair of horizontally spaced attaching spring cars 33 which extend rearwardly from opposite edges of the middle portion of the frame member 1 and have apertured parallel rear portions 34 straddling a forwardly extending arm 35 on a vertical eye member 36 and secured to the arm 35 by the bolt 37 and the nut 38. The eye member 36 is disposed between the vertically spaced ears 39 at the forward end of a rod 40 which has its rearward end disposed in a horizontal socket 41 in a block 42 that is slidable on a post 43 and can be secured in adjusted position on the post 43 by the set screw 44. The ears 39 have apertures in alinement with the bore of the eye member 36 for the reception of the bolt 45 which is engaged by the thumb nut 46. The ears 39 have considerable resiliency and the thumb nut 46 can be tightened to lock the ears 39 to the eye member 36. The lower end portion of the post 43 carries a clamp which may comprise a sleeve 47 adjustable on the post and secured to the post by the set screw 48 and a pair of vertically spaced arms 49 which extend laterally from the sleeve 47 and respectively may be disposed above and below an edge portion 50 of a table, a chair arm, or like support and secured to such support by a clamping screw 51which is threaded through a vertical opening in the lower arm 49 and thus is adjustable toward and away from the upper arm 49. The clamping screw 51 preferably has a plate like clamping head 52 that is adapted to contact flatwise with the under surface of the support 50 when the upper arm 49 rests on the upper surface of the support 50 and the screw 51 has been tightened.

It is intended that the friction between all the hereinbefore described" cooperative pivotally connected parts shall be sufiicient to prevent accidenta-l displacement of such parts from adjusted positions withrespect to each other without rendering adjustment of such parts difficult manually. In some instances, the cooperative pivotally' connected parts may have means whereby they will be more securely locked in adjusted position, such means being exemplified by the bolt 37 and nut 38 and the bolt 45 and thumb nut 46.

lVhen the device is in set-up position as shown to advantage in Figure 3, it can be adjusted within a considerable range so far as its effective size as a rack for books; ma gazines, and like-articles is concerned and the holder frame also can be adjusted to support the book, magazine, or like article at various angles to the horizontal and to the vertical and in various positions in respect to a reader. When the holder frame is in extended position as shown in Figures 1, 2. 3 and 6, a book or magazine placed thereon will. be firmly supported in an open position and both the upper clamping arms 31 and the pivoted late all or side clampingmembers of the holder frame may be used at the same time to maintain the book or magazine open. The relatively long main clamping sections 28 of the side clamping arms are inserted under a goodly number of sheets of the book or magazine on the holder frame and theedges of such sheets as'are not engaged by the main clan'ipingsections 28 are confined between the clamping sections 28 and the forward shorter clamping fingers are clips 29 so that the book or magazine will be firmly supported in an open position and at the same time a substantial number of pages at each side of the place of opening of the book or magazine can be turned readily as the reader may desire. The side clamping or retaining arms are sectional as herein-- before described andtherefore are capable of various adjustments in respect to the leaves of an associated} magazine or book.

When the holder frame is fully folded as shown in Figures {L and 5, it is compact and takes upbutrelatively little space.

From the foregoing description of the del vice, it. will be apparenttha-t such {device has many beneficial features and will be real value as a rack orrest for supporting books, magazines, and like articles of variouslsizes in open positionisothat such articles can be easily read without discomfort to the reader when the reader is in areclining position or any other usual position and that the hands of the reader may be free for use in writing or for any other purpose. Ylhile this test is shown mounted .ona table. 50 obviously it maybe mounted on any other suitable sup port. Y I

Obviously, the invention is susceptible of embodiment in forms otherthan that which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings and I therefore consideras my own all such modifications and adaptations thereof as fairly fall within thescope of the appended claims. I f a V "a a i l claim 1+ e a a V 1. A rest of the character described includin a holder frame having a .backcomprising a i-niddle supporting member, a-pair of end bars, extensible and contractile means connecting said end barswith said middle member, and a, base comprising ,a, pair of sections pivotally connected at their inner ends with the lower part of said middle member on the back sothat said, base sections mayswing ver i-tically substantially from the plane of said mic'ldle member to positions to extend substantially at right angles withwsaid middle member, and vice versa, said end barshav; ing forward extensions at their lower ends for supporting the outer end portions of said base sections when said base sections are disposed substantially at right angles with said middle member of the back, said forward extensions having up-turned front end portions, and retaining arms pivotal'ly connected with said rip-turned end portions of the forward extensions.

2. A rest of, the character described in cluding a. holder f ame having a back comprising a middle supporting member, a pair of end bars, extensible and contractile means connecting said end bars with said middle membcrpand a base comprising a pair of sections pivotally connected at their inner ends with the lower part ofsaid middle member on the back so that said, base sections may swing vertically substantially from the plane of said middle member to positions to extend, substantially at right angles with said middle member, and vice versa, said and bars having forward extensions at their lower ends for supporting the outer end portions of said base sections when bar of the back wand end portions of said. forward eXtensions,.said supporting sections of the retain-v ing arms having rearwardly offset upper end portions, and bar-like clampin sections having doubled portions pirota-lly connected with therearwardly offset upper end portions of the supporting sections {and comprising substantially straight rearwardmain clam ng members and forwardly ioffsetshonter cl-a p ing fingier members. I

3. Ina rest of thecharacter describechja holder frame havingja back including an upright middle bar, a pair of endbars, and

lazy-tongs connecting the end bars with the nnddle bar, and a hasecompris'ing a pair of sections pivot-ally attached their inner ends to the lower endportmn of the middle ;at the front of t-hevlat-ter, said base sections being s-wingable vertically,

.saidpendbars having fQlw-ard extensions at their lower ends for supporting the outer end portlonsot said bflSG SOZCUOHS when said 7 base sections are, disposed substantially at right angles with sa-idiniddle memberof the back, a pair of retaining arms pivotally supported on, the for-wardends of --said ,for-

ward extensions, a vertically movable has: supported on said middle bar of the back of the holder frame, said vertically movahlfi {bar having .a forwardlyand downwardly turned upper 16nd, portion, and a pair of :upper retaining. arms pivoted to the forwardly and downwardly turned end portions of said vertically movable bar.

4'. In a rest of the character described, a

holder frame including a back having an upright middle member, a pairofend bars, and lazy-tongs connecting the end bars with the middle member, said middle member having flanges at its longitudinal edges extending rearwardly and inwardly to produce a guide-way, a vertically slidable bar having its longitudinal edge portions disposed between said flanges and the body of said middle member of the holder frame back, said vertically slidable bar having a forwardly and downwardly turned upper end portion, a pair of retaining arms pivotally connected with the forwardly and downwardly turned end portion of said vertically slidaible bar, and a base comprising a pair of sections pivotally connected with the lower end portion of said middle bar and swingable to and from positions to extend laterally at opposite sides of said middle bar substantially at right angles therewith.

the middle member, said middle member having flanges at its longitudinal edges extending rearwardly and inwardly to produce a guide-way, a vertically slidable bar having its longitudinal edge portions disposed be tween. said flanges and the body of said middle member of the holder frame back, said vertically slidable bar having a forwardly and downwardly turned upper end portion, a pair of retaining arms pivotally connected with the forwardly and downwardly turned end portion of said vertically slidable bar, and a base comprising a pair of sections pivotally connected with the lower end portion of said middle bar and swingable to and from positions to extend laterally at opposite sides of said middle bar substantially at right angles therewith, and means at the lower ends of said end bars of the back of the holder frame for supporting the outer ends of said base sections when said base sections are disposed substantially at right angles with said middle member of the back of the holder frame.

6. In a rest of the character described, a holder frame having a back including an upright middle bar, a pair of end bars, lazytongs connecting the end bars with the middle bar, and a base comprising a pair of vertically swingable sections pivotally connected at the inner sides of their inner end portions to the lower end portion of said middle bar, and means for adjustably supporting the holder frame'including a post hav ing a universal connection at its upper end with the middle member of the back of the holder frame and a clamp adjustable on said post and detachably engageable with an edge portion of a table, a chair arm, or like support. 9%]

7. In a rest of the character described, a holder frame including an upright bar, a pair of horizontally spaced ears extending rearwardly from said bar, aneye member having an arm disposed between said ears, horizontal pivot means connecting said arms with said cars, a rod having a pair of vertically spaced ears straddling said eye member, a vertical pivot element connecting said ears with said eye member, a post, a block adjustable on said post and supporting said rod, and a clamp adjustable on said post and comprising a pair of laterally extending vertically spaced arms and a clamping screw carried by one of said arms and cooperable with the other arm to grip an edge portion of atable, a chair arm, or like support.

8. In a rest of'the character described, a holder frame including an upright bar, a pair of horizontally spaced ears extending rearwardly from said bar, an eye member having an arm disposed between said ears, horizontal pivot means connecting said arm with said ears, a rod having a pair of vertically spaced ears straddling said eye member, a vertical pivot element connecting said ears with said eye member, a post, a block adjustable on said post and supporting said rod, a clamp adjustable on said post and comprising a pair of laterally extending vertically spaced arms and a clamping screw carried by one of said arms and cooperable with the other arm to grip an edge portion of a table, a chair arm, or like support, and means cooperable with said pivot elements to lock the parts that the pivot elements connect to each other when desired.

FRANK D. SHOLIN. 

